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‘Yorkshire people are so warm and friendly’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Yorkshire people are so warm and friendly’

The Dewsbury Press newspaper article about Jimmy CricketJimmy Cricket clearly put on a memorable performance when he headlined an old-style Music Hall show at the world-famous City Varieties theatre in Leeds.

An article (right) in the Dewsbury Press newspaper said the 70-year-old entertainer played to a full house and got a standing ovation.

Jimmy is quoted as saying: “I love playing here as Yorkshire people are so warm and friendly.”

Each year the City Varieties recreates a version of Music Hall, an incredibly popular format for theatre during Victorian Britain.

The venue in Leeds is synonymous with Music Hall as not only was it built to stage these shows, but it was also the location where the very popular and much-loved BBC light entertainment show called  The Good Old Days was filmed during the 1970s and 1980s.

The show – Jimmy appeared in the original in the 80s – retains its eternal popularity as the reruns of it on BBC4 on Friday evenings attract significant viewing figures.

Joining Bernie Clifton on Live-ish show 150 150 mhamer

Joining Bernie Clifton on Live-ish show

Jimmy Cricket with Bernie  Clifton, fitness trainer Kellyanne Sharman and BBC Radio Sheffield producer Rav

Jimmy Cricket appeared on a radio show presented by an old showbiz colleague earlier this month.

Jimmy Cricket performs on Bernie Clifton's BBC Radio Sheffield Live-ish show

The Northern Irish entertainer was among the guests on Bernie Clifton’s weekly BBC Radio Sheffield comedy show.

Jimmy was personally asked by Bernie to go over to South Yorkshire to take part in his show, which is called ‘Live-ish’. The name springs from the fact that the programme is recorded on a Friday morning in front of a studio audience, but is not broadcast until 1pm the following day.

Jimmy said: “I have known Bernie for three decades and have always had a fondness for his zany and visual approach to comedy, which is not too far away from my own style.

Jimmy Cricket performs on Bernie Clifton's BBC Radio Sheffield Live-ish show

“I really enjoyed taking part in the show and can see why it is gathering listeners all the time, as it now has become one of the most popular programmes produced by BBC Radio Sheffield.”

Top, Bernie and Jimmy are pictured alongside the show’s other guest that week, Sheffield-based fitness trainer Kellyanne Sharman, and the show’s producer, Rav.

Below, Jimmy and Kellyanne are with Peter Lewis, who was in the audience and took these photographs.

Listen to the show featuring Jimmy here

Jimmy Cricket with Peter Lewis and Kellyanne Sharman

Returning for the first time in a decade 150 150 mhamer

Returning for the first time in a decade

Jimmy Cricket will headline the 60s night at Huddersfield Sports CentreJimmy Cricket is going to perform in Huddersfield for the first time in at least 10 years.

The well-known Northern Irish entertainer will headline a 60s party at the Huddersfield Sports Centre in the West Yorkshire town on Saturday 13 September.

The event is being hosted and promoted by local entrepreneur Michael Ricards.

Jimmy said: “It’s amazing to think that being based in Rochdale in North Manchester, I am only a stone’s throw away from Huddersfield.

“But I have not appeared in the town for at least a decade! So this is a welcome return from yours truly and the night promises to be an evening brimming with laughter and dancing.”

Tickets are available by either visiting www.showsuk.com or ringing 0800 689 1708.

Green cake with wellies on it! 150 150 mhamer

Green cake with wellies on it!

Jimmy Cricket was presented with an Irish-themed cake when he returned to perform at the Billingham Forum Theatre near MiddlesbroughJimmy Cricket was presented with an Irish-themed cake when he returned to perform at the Billingham Forum Theatre near Middlesbrough.

The famous Belfast-born entertainer appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the North East theatre over the Christmas and New Year period. Sellout crowds watched the pantomime; in fact, the biggest attendances ever for a panto at the venue.

And as he arrived to perform again at the theatre at the start of April, he was greeted with a green cake with a pair of wellingtons on it – Jimmy is renowned in his acts for wearing wellies on the wrong feet!

The cake was made by Stockton resident Yasmin Calvert whose mum, Janet, went to the stage door of the theatre to hand it to Jimmy.Jimmy Cricket appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the North East theatre over the Christmas and New Year period

Jimmy said: “I was overjoyed on receiving it as it’s one of the best that anyone has made for me. I was particularly impressed with the detail of the decoration and amazed at how it was produced all in green!

“A big thank you to Yasmin for the efforts she went to in making this culinary delight for me.”

His comedy show was a triumph as almost 400 people came to see Jimmy on his return.

He invited the Heritage Dance School to perform a  few numbers during the show and added: “I was  very pleased with their efforts as they slotted in really nicely.”

Jimmy pays tribute to panto team 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy pays tribute to panto team

The entire panto cast including Yvonne Patterson who took on the role of Wicked Queen and the dancers from the Stockton Heritage dance studio

The entire panto cast, including Yvonne Patterson who took on the role of Wicked Queen and the dancers from the Stockton Heritage dance studio

Jimmy Cricket with Malcolm Dixon, who played the head dwarf, and whose wife Anita was the production’s stage manager

Jimmy with Malcolm Dixon, who played the head dwarf, and whose wife Anita was the production’s stage manager

Famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket has been reflecting on the successful pantomime in which he starred over the festive season.

The Northern Irish entertainer played the comedy role of Muddles in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Billingham Forum Theatre near Middlesbrough.

Also in the cast was Emmerdale’s Kurtis Stacey (he plays Alex Moss in the soap) who featured in the role of the Wicked Henchman.

In total, a record 30,000 spectators came through the theatre’s doors to watch Jimmy and the cast over several weeks.

And it consistently had excellent reviews from people who see the show during the Christmas and New Year period.

Jimmy said: “I would like to pay tribute to the wonderful cast that had been assembled and express my gratitude to the excellent production team that put the show together led by producer Duggie Chapman.

Jimmy Cricket and Kurtis Stacey

Jimmy and Stacey

“I am also grateful to all the wonderful staff at the Forum Theatre under the watchful eye of manager Derek Cooper.”

He also acknowledges the fantastic cottage (scene photo below) he stayed at over the duration of the pantomime which was situated within Abbey Hill Cottages and is run by Paul, Smokey and Mary.

Jimmy liked the North East venue so much that he will bring his stand-up comedy show to the Forum Theatre on the afternoon of Sunday 6 April. To book tickets for Jimmy’s return visit with his comedy show, visit the theatre website here.

Jimmy Cricket stayed at a cottage in the countryside during the panto

Festive Liz gets Wellie award 150 150 mhamer

Festive Liz gets Wellie award

Jimmy Cricket with marketing manager Liz CooperA lady who gave Jimmy Cricket and his panto colleagues a great Christmas send-off is the January winner of the Golden Wellie award.

Liz Cooper is the marking manager at the Forum Theatre in Billingham where the famous Northern Irish entertainer appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs over the festive period.

Jimmy said: “Liz went above the call of duty on Christmas Eve and decorated with festive trimmings the dressings rooms occupied by the cast of the pantomime. She was ably abetted in this feat by her daughter.

“In 25 years of doing pantos across the UK, this is the first time that I have encountered the theatre’s staff going to the length of ensuring the cast have a Christmas send-off  and this special gesture certainly got everyone into the Christmas spirit.”

Jimmy, whose festively decorated panto dressing room is pictured below, was so impressed and grateful for what Liz had done that he wanted to acknowledge her efforts by awarding her the Golden Wellington (above).

Jimmy Cricket's panto dressing room

Returning to record-breaking venue 150 150 mhamer

Returning to record-breaking venue

Cast members of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from 7 December to 5 January at the Forum Theatre in Billingham

Cast members of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Jimmy Cricket is to return to the scene of his record-breaking pantomime.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs attracted sellout crowds – the biggest attendances ever for a panto at the Billingham Forum Theatre near Middlesbrough.

It consistently had excellent reviews from people who watched the show over the Christmas and New Year period.

Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy played the comedy role of Muddles in the festive production. Also in the cast was Emmerdale’s Kurtis Stacey (he plays Alex Moss in the soap) who featured in the role of the Wicked Henchman.

Jimmy liked the North East venue so much that he will bring his stand-up comedy show to the Forum Theatre on the afternoon of Sunday 6 April.

To book tickets for Jimmy’s return visit with his comedy show, visit the theatre website here.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was clearly loved by people who went to see it, with many positive comments being posted on the social media website, Twitter.

In addition to those included in previous stories in the Cricket Times section of this website, here are some more plaudits for Jimmy and co.

Vicki Taylor ‏@vickitaylor84
Fab panto at the forum jimmy was great 2nd time I’ve seen him!! @jimmy__cricket @kurtisstaceyKS good fox song!!

Kiana_Horan X ‏@HoranKianaMofo
@jimmy__cricket you were brilliant in Snow White xx

Katie ‏@Katies5SOS
@jimmy__cricket You were amazing on Saturday doing Snow White, such a laugh, hopefully see you next year :)

andrew purvis ‏@jillybear75
@jimmy__cricket the whole family came to see you today in panto and my son who is 5 couldn’t stop laughing at you!!

James ‏@captainjim74
@jimmy__cricket Saw u in Snow White today- me & my 5 year old boy cried laughing together at the same gags!great family show, thanks v much!

Jessica Playfor ‏@jessicaplayforX
@jimmy__cricket had me howlin tonight (despite been front row and practically on the stage ourself)

Jayne wilkins ‏@Jewilkinsboro
@jimmy__cricket @kazbradellie @joannemurphy33 watched you as a kid and laughed , just seen you at forum and laughed , c u on 6th April :) xx

Vickie Gatenby ‏@VickieGatenby
@jimmy__cricket “that cardigan thing”.. “It’s a jumper muddles ;)” haha.. Good show tonight!! Thanks for the high five!! :)

Graeme ‏@graemeblewis
@jimmy__cricket hey muddles!! great performance tonight in Snow White!! Family and I loved it!!

Chris Slasor ‏@theslasor
@victoriaholtom @jimmy__cricket you were fantastic in Snow White at Billingham Forum tonight! Well done, the whole cast were brilliant :)